Page 46 of Under Construction

"The only weak point here is your self-control," Dennis mutters.

Chris's laugh ghosts across his ear. "Says the guy who jumped me in the supply closet yesterday."

"That was—" Dennis starts to defend himself—it's not his fault Chris cornered him first—but Chris is already moving away, professional mask back in place as Jason walks in.

*****

The texts start innocently enough:

Progress meeting @ 2 can’t wait to see you in that blue shirt again

Why?

Because watching you try to be professional while I stare is my new favorite hobby

But they escalate quickly:

Still thinking about how you looked bent over those blueprints this morning

Working. Stop it.

Just conducting a thorough site inspection, boss. Very hands-on management style.

By Friday, Jason's suggestion of drinks feels like a match near gasoline.

"On the company," he says, waving a platinum card that belongs to Dennis’s father. "We're ahead of schedule for once."

The whole team packs into some overpriced downtown bar. Music pounds. Drinks flow. Everyone's riding the high of victory and top-shelf liquor.

Everyone except Chris, who's been watching Dennis all night with dark eyes and darker intentions.

He hasn't touched his glass. Hasn't joined the rowdy celebrations. Just leans against the bar, a bit too much focus trained on how Dennis’s suit pants pull tight when he moves.

Dennis pretends not to notice. Pretends his skin doesn't burn every time their gazes meet across the room.

Pretends he hasn't spent the last month thinking aboutthatnight together, reliving it in liquid dreams and five-minute bathroom breaks that leave him frustrated and aching for more than his own hand.

By midnight, the crowd thins. Jason's passed out in a booth. The crew stumbles home in twos and threes.

Chris is on his phone arranging rides when Dennis heads toward Jason. "I'll get him home—"

"Don't worry about it." Two guys from surveying hoist Jason up between them. "We've got a whole system for when he blacks out after one beer."

Dennis watches them navigate toward the door, making sure no one face-plants into anything expensive.

He feels Chris's presence before he hears him.

"Need a ride?"

He turns to find Chris with one eyebrow raised, keys dangling from his finger.

"You've been drinking."

"Water." Chris holds up his glass. "Some of us are responsible adults."

Dennis snorts. "Since when?"

"Since I watched you inspect the support beams this morning."

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